Title: First Time Right: a metric for failproof design

Authors: V.E. Annamalai

Addresses: Abrasive Research Centre, Carborundum Universal Limited, Chennai – 600 019, India

Abstract: Design For Six Sigma (DFSS) is a second-stage development for those industries that have mastered Six Sigma applications in their manufacturing processes. In developing nations where Six Sigma concepts have not picked up in manufacturing, Design for Six Sigma would be a far-fetched dream. Instead, the same end result of reliability in design can be approached by tracking a simpler metric called First Time Right (FTR). This measures the number of instances where the first design worked successfully. The present paper outlines a methodology to identify and improve the factors that affect FTR. This methodology has helped our industry in successfully raising the reliability of our designs from 20% to 72%, over a period of six years.

Keywords: design metrics; new product development; NPD; design for six sigma; DFSS; design for marketability; first time right; FTR; success rate; knowledge management; design of experiments; DOE; design reliability; manufacturing.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSSCA.2007.017178

International Journal of Six Sigma and Competitive Advantage, 2007 Vol.3 No.4, pp.377 - 390

Published online: 17 Feb 2008 *

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